We explored the impact of vitamin D3 supplementation on cognitive decline in transgenic mice that model Alzheimer's disease. Over a 20-week treatment period, we conducted a series of tests, including a Morris Water Maze test to assess cognitive function and various analyses to gauge oxidative stress and Alzheimer-related pathology.
Our observations indicated that vitamin D3 treatment not only improved the memory performance of the mice but also positively influenced brain health. Specifically, we found that vitamin D3 led to a reduction in amyloid beta (Aβ) buildup, a hallmark of Alzheimer's, and decreased levels of proteins associated with the disease, such as APP, tau, and phosphorylated tau (p-tau).
Moreover, vitamin D3 appeared to bolster the brain's defenses against oxidative stress, enhancing key antioxidant levels while lowering harmful substances related to oxidative damage. The treatment activated important pathways involved in cellular protection, further supporting the notion that vitamin D3 may offer neuroprotective effects.
In conclusion, our study suggests that vitamin D3 could play a beneficial role in improving cognition and reducing Alzheimer-like changes in the brain. These findings invite further exploration into the potential of vitamin D3 as a supportive treatment in Alzheimer’s disease management.